Fantastic Friday #551 - Hills

Hills

11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness. Psalm 65:11-12

Do you ever sit and think about the hills that you climb?  As we were hiking this week there was something I noticed.  Some of the hills were long periods of a gradual climb and some were a more aggressive incline that required a little bit more effort. I think as we look at the bounty that we have in our lives, we can take a look at these hills we face differently.  One moment our lives can be filled with abundance, and then other times we can face steep or long uphill climbs.  It is all in how we attack those climbs which can either lead to a positive experience or a negative one. Keep in mind all the times your climbs have been successful and full of gladness. Those are the climbs I want to have, how about you?

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #550 - Rubies

Rubies

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12

Why is a ruby red and why do people find it to be so valuable, even in Biblical times? A ruby is red because of an element in its makeup called Chromium. Chromium is an essential part of metabolic processes that regulate blood sugar, and helps insulin transport glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy. Chromium is also the source code that is used in Google's Chrome web browser. It is interesting how the basics of a ruby can play such an important part in our life and our survival, and it is funny how a company can see the importance of such an element to name their own processes out of it. So what does all this have to do with rubies and Biblical times and our time? Well, look how valuable a ruby has been considered over the ages. A precious gem that brings happiness to some. What is even more interesting is the importance that God places on our wives, and how they are worth more than rubies. It kind of puts things in perspective, and while scripture doesn't say it here, I know that each and every one of us is more valuable to God then a ruby. In these times of strife and the unknown, rely on the fact that each person is more valuable than a ruby and treat them as such. If chromium can help a body function, think about how your kindness could impact someone.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #549 - Nearsighted

Nearsighted

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9

For those of you who know me, you know I am nearsighted and wear glasses to help me see things clearly. So as you grow older, do you find that you are not as nearsighted as you once were, or are you losing vision. I am not talking about your physical vision of seeing things in front of you, I am talking about seeing things further out ahead of you and the impact on your life. I remember my life in my 20's and boy was I nearsighted. I only thought of what was in front of me and didn't think of the long-term impact of my actions. As I have aged over the years, my vision seems to have improved and I can say that I can see more clearly the impact of my actions, and while I am not perfect, I can certainly see how the things I do can impact me and those around me. This doesn't always happen to everyone as they age. If you look at the scripture if someone doesn't have goodness, knowledge ,self control,that lead to a multitude of other attributes, then this can impact their sight. With all that is happening in the world these days, I encourage you to not be nearsighted and improve your sight with love and kindness. These attributes are key to having very clear sight.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #548 - Debt

Debt

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Do you have debts? I don't mean financial debts, because everyone has those in one form or another. I am talking about being indebted to others. Do you owe someone because of something they did for you, or do you feel like you owe someone something for what they made for you? Kindness is still out there in the world. I heard some interesting stories this week from someone whose family is struggling with some health issues, and all the things that people are doing for them while they are recovering. Now we all know there is no way they will ever be able to repay all the things that people have done for them, but what they can do is acknowledge the kindness and return the kindness to others that they have received. How much better is our world when debts are paid with kindness. Be kind to one another and love others.

Have a great weekend.